HeyForm vs ODK Central
A form builder with conversational and classic layouts. The ODK server for publishing forms and collecting submissions, including offline. Compare the capabilities you need, then check hosting, licensing and maintenance. This pair is shown for browsing but is not indexed (not among the leading projects of a shared category).
| Attribute | HeyForm | ODK Central |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | A form builder with conversational and classic layouts. | The ODK server for publishing forms and collecting submissions, including offline. |
| Documented capabilities | Classic and chat layouts, Logic jumps, Self-hosted | Form publishing for ODK Collect and web forms, Projects with app users and roles, Submission review and data export, Entities for follow-up data collection |
| Best-fit workflow | Teams choosing between a normal form and a one-question-at-a-time flow. | Field teams that collect data on phones, including without a connection. |
| Check before choosing | Compare integrations with the form tool you use today before you migrate live forms. | Central is built around ODK Collect on Android and web forms. Check the ODK docs for server sizing. |
| Deployment options | Docker | Docker Compose |
| GitHub stars | 9,028 | 229 |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Docker noted | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud / hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Primary language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last commit | 2026-10-15 | 2026-09-28 |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Content source | Editorial catalog entry | Editorial catalog entry |
| Metadata checked | 2026-10-16 | Check the current repository |
| Forks | 718 | 238 |
| Star growth | +37 (2026-10-01 to 2026-10-16) | Not recorded |
| Alternative to | Google Forms, Typeform | Not recorded |
This comparison uses recorded capabilities, not hands-on performance tests. A capability missing from one record does not mean that product lacks it. Confirm edition, version and current pricing in the official documentation.
When to consider HeyForm
Teams choosing between a normal form and a one-question-at-a-time flow.
Compare integrations with the form tool you use today before you migrate live forms.
HeyForm documentation and sourceWhen to consider ODK Central
Field teams that collect data on phones, including without a connection.
Central is built around ODK Collect on Android and web forms. Check the ODK docs for server sizing.
ODK Central documentation and sourceHeyForm vs ODK Central questions
- What is HeyForm?
- A form builder with conversational and classic layouts.
- What is ODK Central?
- The ODK server for publishing forms and collecting submissions, including offline.
- Can you self-host HeyForm and ODK Central?
- Both can be self-hosted.
- What licenses do HeyForm and ODK Central use?
- HeyForm uses the AGPL-3.0 license. ODK Central uses the Apache-2.0 license.
- Which has more GitHub stars, HeyForm or ODK Central?
- HeyForm has 9.0k stars and ODK Central has 229. Stars show attention; check recent commits and releases for maintenance.
- What languages are HeyForm and ODK Central written in?
- HeyForm is mainly written in TypeScript. ODK Central is mainly written in JavaScript.